I asked Steve if I could share the images of his pirogue/punt and this is the email he sent

Sure… go ahead. I expect that the chine runners add maybe 4 or 5 degrees of windward ability and may not be worth the extra effort if someone is looking for a quick and dirty build. One thing about the boat is that I would prefer to use it in water where going over simply means standing up to breathe. The deeper lakes and rivers around here concern me a little with no built in flotation and the fact that you are deliberately leaning it to leeward. All it takes is a second of inattention and a gust to go over. I would prefer to do that where I can stand up, bail and hop back in rather than try to heave my bulk (it doesn’t heave very well at all) back in while floating neck deep in water.

Steve

above….six hours into the build

above – the sail arrives $109 – blimey we get ripped in the UK

above…. the skill of a boat builder with a good eye – my transome is so ugly…. his is so lovely

above… the wings

above…. I thought of adding some chine runners to my punt…. but decided to keep it simple

9 Responses to “A duck(punt) with wings”

Not really… just a bit better pointing. The higher the wind and the more the heel the stronger the weather helm gets. Just ghosting along it actually has a bit of lee helm. I have had it right on the edge where it was sipping Mississippi and it was moving quite fast. I have almost finished making a small kick up rudder to be set up push/pull style. I’ll see if this will keep my paddles straight.

It would be nice to have a sailing report from one of the west mersea lads and let us know some of their sailing techniques. On viewing their videos it appears as if they are slumped in the hull with a leg cocked over the side for comfort, it all looks so effortless to them.

chine runners use some pretty weird physics – they make the edge of the boat work like a winged keep – they stop the water from flowing over the edge of the chine – so vertical runners might not be as effective as the horizontal ones. I have no idea how the physics works so don’t go thinking I know anything

My that is a sexy rear on that sir, I’m interested in the longer term results of those wings and if the benefits are worth the extra work. Dylan pointed out to me that boat builders are never happy to stick to a plan and not alter anything, but I guess that’s how Mk2 versions happen. But it is true, I am equally guilty of tweaking a perfectly good boat plan. Its a pretty boat and credit is due to you, a nice build Steve

Hmmmwings, can’t say I think they do much. If it was a round bilge hull it might have an little effect , (might).I would like to see side by side testingwith, without and with a lee board.(known to work)Extra drag..quite a bit.How come I’ve never seen the same on any other boat?Yes works on a rudder as end plate but completely different effect.Now if you put them on the stern, added about 5 times the rig they could be planning boards but thats a different boat!!!But what do I know? 3 boat testing will tell….warren